As a London wedding photographer I’m often asked to photograph in some pretty awesome venues and when Shahrzad and Alastair contacted me last year the level of awesomeness went through the roof. Can you imagine getting married at St Paul’s Cathedral? Well for this couple that was going to happen. The service was to be held in the OBE Chapel which is at the east end of the Crypt. Only award-holders, or members of their family are able to be married in the Chapel.
So if St Paul’s wasn’t grand enough the couple had chosen Drapers Hall as the venue for their wedding reception. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph a wedding at Drapers Hall before, back in 2012 Abby and Nathan also held their wedding reception at Drapers Hall. It’s one of those venues that when you walk into the Livery Hall your jaw drops. I’d say it is up there as one of the UK’s best wedding venues.
The day before the wedding I met up with the couple at St Paul’s for the rehearsal. St Paul’s have quite strict guidelines around the photography which meant I was only allowed to shoot up until the first hymn, which happened pretty much straight away. Kindly, I was allowed to join the couple for the signing of the register and was able to shoot as they walked out of the Chapel together.
Rain on a wedding day is never great, although from a photography perspective it doesn’t really make too much of a difference however we were all praying for it not to be raining. The couple were eager for a big group shot on the stairs in from of St Paul’s. We were lucky, despite quite heavy winds we managed to get the shot, even with a large crowd of tourists joining in with the cheers and the applause.
Shahrzad and Alastair in particular really like my big dramatic wedding photos so after getting some beautiful natural light wedding photos I pulled out the BIG flash and got to work. Luckily at this wedding I was joined by John Erskine whose a very talented photographer and great friend and also Oli Sandler. I’ve only known Oli a few months but he is quickly becoming a integral part of the Gomes Photography Team. John was a second photographer on the day and Oli was assisting me. However, at this point both John and Oli were helping as the winds were so strong they were threatening to blow away some of my equipment. With the help of the guys we nailed some pretty amazing dramatic wedding photos.
We all then made our way to Drapers Hall. Before the wedding breakfast the couple were having an Iranian wedding ceremony or Persian Marriage which was held in the Drawing Room at Drapers Hall. This is a very elegant room which was originally designed by Herbert Williams and John G. Crace between 1866 and 1870. I photograph many different wedding ceremonies but this was my first Persian wedding ceremony and I was fascinated by the rituals.
I am so pleased that Shahrzad and Alastair asked me to photograph their wedding, and be apart of their day. As those who read my ramblings will know, I take my role as a wedding photographer very seriously as I’m responsible for keeping the memories alive. Just because I take it seriously doesn’t mean that I don’t have a huge amount of fun though.
Of course I’d like to thank the couple for asking me to be their St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding Photographer. Also a massive thanks to John and Oli for all their help on the day…. and John got some absolutely beautiful photos too. Finally, thanks to the staff at Drapers for their hospitality and warm welcome, and not forgetting the amazing food laid on for us.
Here’s a small selection of photos taken throughout the day. My aim from the blog is be able to let people who were not at the wedding feel a part of the day and for those who were there to share in some memories. I hope you like them and please do add a comment (at the bottom)
